Jessica’s Rural Words

Water underpins food production, public health and wellbeing, wildlife, and our economy. Yet for most of us, turning on the tap hides the complex systems, infrastructure and governance required to keep supplies safe and reliable. Securing clean and plentiful water depends on coordinated action across communities, water companies, businesses, government, councils, and regulators. In January 2026, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) published its Water White Paper, setting out proposals to “overhaul the water system in England […]

Hearing loss is a pervasive yet often hidden health challenge affecting millions of people across the UK. While 5.8% of GP patients reported deafness or hearing loss in 2024, research indicates that the true figure is significantly higher – affecting up to 18 million adults, or one-in-three, when mild and unilateral loss are included. Prevalence increases sharply with age, meaning rural communities – where 27% of residents are aged […]

Winter is linked to increased mortality compared to other seasons, with the UK experiencing higher winter mortality rates than some colder European countries. How is winter mortality measured, what are the trends in rural communities, and what more can be done to address excess winter deaths? Jessica Sellick investigates.   ………………………………………………………………………………………………..  Winter mortality rates in the UK exceed those observed in several colder European nations, indicating that a proportion of these deaths may […]